Trichy encompasses Srirangam, the foremost Vaishnavite temple and the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world. Trichy also emcompasses "ThiruAnaikka" (ThiruvAnaikkaval), one of the five main abodes ("Panchaboodha Sthalam") of Lord Shiva. ThiruvAnaikkaval is the House of Water. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (Sir C.V. Raman) was born in Thiruvanaikaval and his house has been preserved as a museum.

The name of the town, "Tiruchirapalli", originated as a tribute (thiru in Tamil means respected) to a Jainmonk called "Chira".[1] There is also a belief that Tiruchirapalli was named after a three headed demon "Trishira" (the son of Ravana) who performed penance at the Siva temple here and obtained boons.